Baby's Growth Story: Fetal Stage

Author: Xiao Yan, Zhang Yanqin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Changes in the Fetus and Expectant Mother
Now that you have started preparing for a lovely baby, you can first calculate your ovulation cycle, which is the same as your menstrual cycle. The main method is the basal body temperature method, where you measure your temperature with a thermometer every morning after waking up without any physical activity. After persisting with this for a month, you can create a basal body temperature chart. Generally, the temperature will rise by 0.3–0.5 degrees during ovulation. According to the basal body temperature chart, you can then prepare to welcome a new life during this period.
Pregnancy Care: Preparations to Make Before Pregnancy
(1) If possible, plan to try for pregnancy at least 3 months in advance. Because the key to fetal growth is in the early weeks. If you haven’t confirmed that you are pregnant yet, the fetus may be easily affected. Maintain good health and a nutritious diet to ensure the fetus is well-protected and nourished in the uterus. After pregnancy, everything you eat, drink, or inhale will enter the fetus’s bloodstream through the placenta. Since many substances can harm the fetus (especially in the first three months, when the limbs, brain, and internal organs are forming), it’s essential to be extra careful. To avoid potential risks, prepare for pregnancy by doing the following:
☆ Engage in appropriate physical exercise
Expectant mothers should maintain regular exercise to prevent fetal deformities caused by viruses like colds or rubella. However, it must be noted that future mothers should exercise moderately and avoid intense sports competitions. The stress and tension of competitive sports can disrupt their physiological balance. If participation is unavoidable, postpone conception.
☆ Properly balance your diet
Nutrients needed by the embryo in early pregnancy can be directly obtained from the nutrients stored in the endometrium, so pre-pregnancy nutrition preparation is crucial. To prepare your body for pregnancy, you should balance your diet and eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods, such as meat, soy products, vegetables, and fruits.
☆ Stay away from harmful substances
Various harmful substances not only affect the health of the expectant mother but also hinder fetal growth and development, making them a significant factor in inducing fetal deformities. If you have been exposed to harmful substances like radiation, lead, cadmium, or mercury before pregnancy, pay attention to whether your body has exceeded normal standards. If so, you should take a break from such work for a period until your health indicators return to normal before trying to conceive.
☆ Stop taking birth control pills at least 3 months before pregnancy
If you are currently taking birth control pills, it’s best to stop taking them before trying to conceive to allow your body more time to restore its normal cycle. It’s ideal to wait for three consecutive normal periods before attempting pregnancy. During this time, you can use condoms or a diaphragm as contraception. If you conceive before your cycles return to normal, it will be more difficult to calculate your due date.
The Art of Wearing a Scarf in Winter
In cold winter weather, expectant mothers engage in a lot of outdoor activities, making warm accessories essential, especially a soft and beautiful scarf to protect the head, which is directly exposed. However, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t wrap your scarf too tightly around your mouth and nose, using it as a mask for warmth. This is not advisable. Because a scarf worn for